KEY POINTS:
Julian Dashper became concerned when he noticed a "small, white, hard pimple" between his nose and right cheek last August.
The same day after returning from Los Angeles, the Auckland artist went to see his doctor about the unusual growth. Because it was bothering him, they both decided it was best to get it removed.
"Even the plastic surgeon that took it off said, 'I don't know what it is, but we'll take it off."'
He travelled to Australia, and upon coming home was told the news: the growth was melanoma.
A wide excision, in which a 5mm margin of skin is cut away from around the cancer to minimise the risk of it spreading, was performed.
At the time, he felt a swelling in his neck, which doctors feared was an indication that the cancer had spread.
He had all the lymph nodes in his neck removed just before Christmas last year and the melanoma was found in three of about 30 nodes taken out. Radiotherapy took place this year.
The Auckland Cancer Society was his "steering wheel through the whole process, helping me navigate through it".
Society liaison nurse Sarah Hunter had first got in touch before his neck surgery, visiting him in hospital.
"To be quite honest, at that stage, beyond the yellow daffodils, I didn't know what the Cancer Society did."
Determined to be well-informed about his diagnosis, Mr Dashper found Sarah to be invaluable.
"I really take my hat off to the specialists, because they're brilliant at their job and they're very good at imparting information. But human nature is that sometimes when one is in a confusing situation, you do just need a bit of time to process things.
"Being able to talk to someone was invaluable, because it gave me the opportunity to process what I'd been through with the specialists."
He also called the Society's cancer helpline when he had questions.
"A lot of these terms I just didn't understand at the time. I didn't understand what radiotherapy was, that chemotherapy had been going for 40 years."
The cancer reappeared this year. This time as a growth on his neck. Mr Dashper had it removed in July, and is undergoing treatment again.
His relationship with Sarah Hunter has resumed, and they talk regularly or correspond by email, which he prefers.
"I know if I want to talk face-to-face, I only need to make an appointment and it's only a phone call away."
He wants people to know about early detection, even those who are cautious about their sun exposure.
"I'm no sun bunny. Anything that one is suspicious about, get it checked out."
Support from his partner, 10-year-old son, brother and parents has been invaluable, as is a positive attitude.
"Even the most cynical of doctors will tell you that positivity has just as much effect as chemotherapy. Positivity is a crucial part of the healing process."
